Entertainment
50 Comics Share Memories of the Comedy Store: ‘It’s a place you go to get dark and find your light’
From the primary day it opened its doorways on April 7, 1972, the Comedy Retailer grew to become one thing particular to Los Angeles. For any comedian seeking to evolve from an open mic beginner to a bona fide monster, an opportunity to step on stage and crush on the Sundown Boulevard venue remains to be the brass ring that evokes them to enhance their craft. It’s no marvel that fifty years later, even by means of the various ups and downs the membership has endured, it’s nonetheless the place individuals flock to from everywhere in the world to seek out the humorous. The careers of numerous comedy greats have been traced again to the membership over the many years, and anybody who’s ever carried out there has a narrative to inform. In honor of Retailer’s fiftieth birthday, 50 comics shared recollections of a time inside their laughter-soaked partitions.
Pauly Shore — Round [age] 10, my first job at The Comedy Retailer was to scrub the cottage cheese and yogurt out of Lenny Schultz’s Speedo’s. He was my favourite comedian to look at within the ‘70s. He’d strip down on stage and say issues like, “There are lots of people who wish to drop some weight, however they put meals of their mouth. With the Lenny Schultz Weight-reduction plan, I put the meals on my physique components.” He’d play music and it was an enormous manufacturing. Then we’d go to the parking zone, and I’d hose him down. The wiping down half I didn’t love a lot, however I used to be the proprietor’s son. I needed to play my dues across the membership. I nonetheless bear in mind it prefer it was yesterday.
Invoice Bellamy — The Comedy Retailer gave me probably the most unbelievable moments in my profession after I carried out in entrance of Richard Pryor. It was one among his final performances and he mentioned, “Give it up for that humorous muthaf—.” I’ll always remember it. I received my flowers from the King!
Sandra Bernhard — I’d not be the performer I’m at present with out these years of observing the unbelievable expertise that got here out and in of the Retailer. My expensive good friend and mentor Paul Mooney, Pryor, Letterman, my good friend Taylor Negron— individuals had been breaking the foundations and setting the stage for what’s now a totally remodeled world of comedy.
Alan Bursky — I went to the Comedy Retailer opening night time in 1972. I wished to be a comic, however Rudy DeLuca, Sammy Shore’s accomplice, wouldn’t let me in as a result of I used to be 17. After hours of begging, I went up at 1:55am. A 12 months later, I used to be the primary comic from the Comedy Retailer to do “The Tonight Present.” It drove all of the comedians loopy.
Steve Byrne — I like the Comedy Retailer. It’s the most important membership in L.A. for a comic the place on a nightly foundation, the most important stars in Hollywood will sit in a chair, slugging their two drinks, and watch us do one thing 99.9% of them can’t do. Greatest feeling.
Jade Catta-Preta — I began bartending there in 2008 for 5 years, so it’s been 14 years. That’s wild. It’s such a darkish but stunning place as a result of it’s a mirror into how you’re feeling about your self and your comedy. You may come out both feeling unbelievable or worse. It’s like that dad you need validation from so it all the time retains you hungry.
Bobby Collins — Coming from N.Y. to pursue comedy on the Comedy Retailer was magical. Observing the completely different types of a number of the most well-known comedians — David Letterman, Richard Pryor and Garry Shandling was so rewarding! Mitzi’s imaginative and prescient and recommendation gave me the wings to fly! Thanks for 50 years of laughter!
Dave Coulier — I used to be 20 years previous. I had simply completed my set within the Unique Room when Argus Hamilton got here as much as me and mentioned, “Hey, Dave. Robin noticed your set and desires to satisfy you.” Instantly, there was Robin Williams, who mentioned, “Son, you’re going to be an enormous star.”
Tommy Davidson — I owe my comedy profession to the Comedy Retailer. They pressured me right into a respectable comic. It took me three years to interrupt in there. Mitzi wouldn’t put me on after which out of the blue one night time, “Mitzi desires you to play the Foremost Room.” Two exhibits for 2 nights, I went in between Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy.
Dean Delray — In 2010, at age 44, I made a decision to attempt stand-up and went to the Comedy Retailer open mic. The host was trashing my age, and three years later, I grew to become a paid common. Nonetheless the best day of my life. It’s the best membership on the planet.
Joey Diaz performs on the Comedy Retailer.
(Troy Conrad)
Joey Diaz — The Comedy Retailer was the whole lot to me, interval. I walked into that place in January of ’97 and instantly knew I belonged there. I wasn’t an excellent comedian, and I used to be misplaced, however Mitzi confirmed me the present of comedy and the love that got here with it. And at present, I’m a comedy savage. Congratulations to the Comedy Retailer.
Andrew Cube Clay — I flew from Brooklyn for a three-minute audition on the Retailer. I did 28 minutes. As I’m leaving the stage, some MC is screaming how I’ll by no means do the membership once more. I mentioned, “I didn’t fly 3,000 miles to do three minutes, get out of my approach.” The subsequent day, I received a name from the booker Steve Moore telling me to come back to the membership. I used to be a paid common.
Nick Di Paolo — On a Saturday night time within the Foremost Room, I adopted Pryor. He was in a wheelchair at this level and was speaking however stored flubbing. So, I am going on and 10 seconds into my first joke, I discover my phrases. I am going, “Is that shit contagious that he has?” Half the room laughs, the opposite half boos.
Fifi Dosch — Once I transitioned and did my first set as Fifi, I bear in mind each comedian within the place wrestling round to discover a spot to look at me as a result of they had been interested by what I’d do and since they wished to help me. It actually warmed my coronary heart. That place has been a household to me.
Greg Fitzsimmons — I used to be onstage and did a joke that was so darkish and troubling, no person laughed. Then I heard one man within the nook doubled over and slapping the desk. I regarded over and it was Quentin Tarantino. He then held court docket with the comedians outdoors for hours. Felt like he knew extra in regards to the historical past of stand-up than I did.
Steve Furey — The key comics bar is the place all of the magic occurs. Hidden and secluded, a spot the place when you may get in, everybody was equal. Punkie Johnson would pour drinks sturdy sufficient to begin a automobile whereas we drunkenly debated life with the likes of Dave Chappelle, Johnny Depp and Sean Payton.
Ron Funches — The Retailer is magical! I discovered myself, friendships and my spouse there. My first time performing there, I used to be nearly struck by a automobile making an attempt to get there (pushed by Brody Stevens). Then I used to be bumped by Chris Rock and Chappelle. I discovered I may comply with something that night time!
Tom Inexperienced — Performing on the Comedy Retailer is a rush for any comic. The best comics of historical past have honed their craft on these levels. In case you are non secular, even within the slightest, you possibly can really feel the ghosts of Carlin, Pryor, Kinison and the remainder laughing together with you. Laughing on the absurdity of all of it.
Dom Irrera — The Retailer was an enormous deal coming from New York. I went there for the primary time and Mitzi handed me, which was uncommon. Again in N.Y. I’m speaking about it, “Yeah first time. No massive deal.” I am going again to L.A. and Mitzi had no clue who I used to be. She needed to see me once more after which I handed.
Maz Jobrani —When Mitzi made me a daily, she mentioned to put on the “hat and robe” (turban and thobe). I assumed, “This’ll damage my profession.” I crafted a narrative that if wearing conventional Muslim garb, we might be focused for a terrorist assault. They purchased it and I wore a T-shirt and denims.
Punkie Johnson — The particular factor in regards to the Retailer is anybody can pop in at any given time. And thru the universe, I used to be on stage, I had a killer set, after which I received to convey up my hero, Dave Chappelle. It was such a particular second, and it lives in my coronary heart. I’ll always remember it.
Eleanor Kerrigan — I waitressed 12 years on the Retailer earlier than I wished to do stand-up, so I knew how Mitzi felt about that. After my first showcase, Mitzi mentioned, “What you’re doing is cute honey. Stick with it.” Most individuals could be pissed listening to “cute,” however I knew I used to be heading in the right direction. It was probably the most thrilling factor.
Bert Kreischer performs on the Comedy Retailer.
(Troy Conrad)
Bert Kreischer — In 2003, Louie Anderson invited me on his Sunday night time present within the Foremost Room. I ecstatically accepted. I walked into the inexperienced room and in a single look, Chris Rock, Roseanne Barr and Louie Anderson had been sitting on the couches whereas Andrew Cube Clay held court docket. I felt so fortunate, I couldn’t consider my eyes. Nobody requested me to go away as a substitute, they provided me a seat.
Bobby Lee — In ’95 I began in La Jolla and Mitzi noticed me open for Pauly. Once I got here to L.A., she informed me two issues. It’s a sin to help mediocrity, and to be star, half the individuals have to like you and half must hate you. It actually caught with me, and I admire it.
Jay Leno — The Comedy Retailer was a magical place coming from New England. I’d by no means labored wherever the place actual celebrities got here in. Johnny Carson, Carl Reiner, Richard Pryor — it was an unbelievable time. To fulfill your heroes like that, it gave you one thing to shoot for. I made lifelong friendships with Robin Williams, David Letterman and writer-director Mike Binder, simply to call a number of.
Sebastian Maniscalco performs on the Comedy Retailer.
(Troy Conrad)
Sebastian Maniscalco — The week after Mitzi handed me, I confirmed as much as do a set in a full-blown go well with. I noticed Mitzi within the bar space, and he or she mentioned to me, “Oh one other agent is right here.” I assumed, from then on out, I used to be by no means going to get one other spot once more.
Marc Maron — The primary time I stepped within the Comedy Retailer, I knew part of me lived there and belonged there. So, I mainly moved into the place for a 12 months. I used to be a 22-year-old child. I labored the door and absorbed the whole lot I may. It was so much. Perhaps an excessive amount of. It positively outlined a whole lot of who I’m comedically.
Bonnie McFarlane — The Retailer was filled with celebs. I used to be feeling some nerves, however after my first joke, I heard the unmistakable snigger of Chris Rock. It crammed my soul. All these nights bombing — this made all of it price it. After my set, I floated outdoors the place I used to be knowledgeable Chris Rock had by no means are available.
Kurt Metzger — I used to hang around in again with Jeff [Scott], who performed keyboards within the O.R. He’d inform me every kind of tales in regards to the Retailer. The one I bear in mind most is Richard Pryor Jr. having intercourse with Sam Kinison. They had been doing coke or one thing and Sam Kinison goes, “I GOTTA know what it’s prefer to get f—d by Richard Pryor’s son!” Speak about surpassing your father’s legacy!
Eddie Pepitone — The Comedy Retailer frightened me after I first received there a number of years in the past. All of the monster stand-ups, the historical past, the ghosts, the murders when it was Ciro’s. Performing there may be magic. Nice crowds EVERY NIGHT. I get to see and really feel all of the ghosts and legends and murders.
Russell Peters performs on the Comedy Retailer.
(Troy Conrad)
Russell Peters — Tal Wilkenfeld, an especially proficient musician, requested me to carry out for her birthday within the Foremost Room. I am going up and do poorly for this viewers, knock again some drinks within the Stomach Room, after which hear music from the Foremost Room. It was Jackson Browne! Then, the drummer handed me a tambourine and I performed on stage with them!
Jay Pharoah — Getting my title on the wall, due to Man Torry, my first standing ovation there in 2019, and going to Josh Adam Meyers’ well-known “Goddamn Comedy Jam,” destroying, and singing “Candy Transvestite” from “The Rocky Horror Image Present” was probably the greatest moments. I like the Retailer, the power there isn’t one thing discovered ubiquitously.
Chris Porter — I walked off stage within the Unique Room one night time and there’s Chevy Chase. He tells me I’m humorous. I informed him “Caddyshack” and “Fletch” are two of my favourite motion pictures and he mentioned his too. Then we simply talked. Nights like that make the Comedy Retailer a magical place.
Donnell Rawlings — The primary time I ever noticed Paul Mooney was on the Comedy Retailer. I’ve by no means seen a comic so sincere that he’d stroll half the viewers out after which in 10 minutes, the room would fill again up with one other group of people who didn’t thoughts being offended.
Ari Shaffir performs on the Comedy Retailer.
(Troy Conrad)
Ari Shaffir — My favourite Retailer recollections are the hangs. Us door guys making an attempt to spy on an enormous comedian having intercourse within the again. Rogan getting me too excessive to drive house. Bitching about Mitzi not passing us. That friendships— is what I miss most. Mitzi made that place a clubhouse on objective for that cause.
Iliza Shlesinger — Validation lies on the opposite facet of a 15-minute set within the Foremost Room. It doesn’t matter what I’m going by means of, I do know I can go and lay my feelings naked to a room of strangers and are available out the opposite finish of a set feeling higher and, on the very least, a greater comedian.
Craig Shoemaker — I used to be recent off the truck from Philadelphia when the Comedy Retailer booked me to go up earlier than Richard Pryor. His well being was declining, but the sharp thoughts by no means leaves a superb comedian. His opening line: “I received a number of sclerosis. God’s a motherf—. He gave me a illness I can’t pronounce!” He handed away a month later, a legend who by no means dies, and a cherished reminiscence I’ll have without end.
Jimmy Shubert — On the Comedy Retailer, you get to create jokes and watch a number of the finest comics within the nation. It was a terrific place to work in your craft and be taught from these professors. It was additionally nice to share that with one other era of comedians behind you. It’s like a fraternity. I had a lot enjoyable there.
Brian Simpson — Considered one of my most vivid recollections from the Comedy Retailer was shortly after I received handed. I used to be on sacred floor with greats like Ron White, Joey Diaz and Leslie Jones simply watching them have a dialog, and nobody was taking a look at me like I wasn’t welcome. That’s a sense you don’t overlook.
Jason and Randy Sklar — Chappelle dropped in a single night time and did a lovely 1½-hour free type riff. We needed to comply with him. He gave us a killer intro, and we joked that his set was so lengthy, three new iPhones got here out, and we had been off on a terrific set of our personal in a room that valued comedy above all.
Doug Stanhope — As satisfying as it may be to carry out on the identical Foremost Room stage as so many nice names have, I used to be extra so moved after I first snorted cocaine within the Inexperienced Room off of the enduring mirror-topped, piano-shaped espresso desk utilized by those self same legends.
Judy Tenuta — My indelible recollection of the Retailer was in 1988 after I did “Ladies of the Evening” with Paula Poundstone, Rita Rudner and Ellen DeGeneres! I did a implausible set, however extra importantly, Sam Kinison was within the viewers and insisted on taking me for a spin in his Pontiac Grand Prix. Thanks to Sam and the Comedy Retailer for that unforgettable reminiscence!
Man Torry — The Retailer was the Statue of Liberty of comedy. It accepted comedians different golf equipment dared to permit on their levels. I created “Phat Tuesdays,” the city hip-hop fashion of comedy, to be a type of form of exhibits. It was daring, it was Black and it was the very best rattling comedy present, interval. It was a motion!
Sam Tripoli — The Comedy Retailer is the final of the indie studios. It’s really the place the wild issues roam. My favourite time on the Retailer was, “The Darkish Days,” when the membership was useless. It was the purest comedy as a result of it was solely about comedy. We’ll by no means see something like that once more. Lengthy dwell the Comedy Retailer!
Duncan Trussell — Mitzi Shore liked comedians greater than anybody I’ve ever met, and the Retailer is a testomony to this love. That place has given me, together with numerous different comedians, lifelong friendships, a profession and delicate PTSD. I’ll always remember the great years I spent in that magical, haunted constructing.
Jimmie Walker — A few of my favourite recollections of the Comedy Retailer occurred whereas on their basketball staff. Hanging out and taking part in with Tom Dreesen, David Letterman, Tim Reid and John Witherspoon plus Roger & Roger and the Mooney Twins. These had been some actually enjoyable instances. And I have to admit, I did OK.
George Wallace on the Comedy Retailer.
(The Comedy Retailer)
George Wallace — So many individuals would come by means of. Richard Pryor, Billy Crystal, Rodney Dangerfield, Redd Foxx — and you then needed to comply with them, which was a lot enjoyable. We simply wished to get on stage and be taught. If solely you possibly can’ve been there to see the late ‘70s and ‘80s on the Comedy Retailer. What enjoyable we had!
Jeremiah Watkins — I used to be on stage within the O.R. and there have been like, eight viewers members. I used to be giving 1000% however getting a number of laughs again. I stood on this desk and yelled at a girl, joking, “ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!?” Then the host got here up and requested the girl, “Miss, are you Janet Jackson?” She nodded. Below that fedora was Janet Jackson.
Marlon Wayans — I grew up within the Comedy Retailer watching my brothers carry out. I’ve so many recollections — Letterman, Kinison, Paul Mooney, Byron Allen earlier than he was a billionaire. It was part of my growth as a comic book and a fact teller. The stage on the Retailer isn’t only a stage, it’s a spot you go to get darkish and discover your mild.
Ron White performs on the Comedy Retailer.
(Troy Conrad)
Ron White — Essentially the most superb factor in regards to the Comedy Retailer is that they all the time embrace the madness of nice comics. They understood loopy, and so they gave you an open invitation. No matter vices or faults you have got, convey them with you. On the Retailer, you had been free to create with none boundaries.